Svalbard

An unusually intense summer of polar bear visits has put one of Svalbard’s key eider duck breeding areas under heavy pressure.

Pyramiden, Frozen in Time

Decades after its abandonment, the Soviet mining settlement of Pyramiden remains suspended between Arctic wilderness, preserved history and the slow return of nature.

Hauke Trinks and the Idea That Life Began in Ice

German physicist Hauke Trinks combined unconventional origin-of-life research with years of Arctic overwintering expeditions alongside Marie Tièche.

Arctic Row 2026: Swiss Expedition Plans Historic Row Across the Arctic

Polar Journal AG Team

Four Swiss adventurers will begin the Arctic Row 2026 expedition at midnight between 3 and 4 July 2026, departing from Svalbard. Their goal is to complete a historic human-powered row of more than 3,000 kilometres to the edge of the Arctic sea ice and then continue all the way to mainland Scotland.

“Forever Chemicals” Increase by More Than 900 Percent in Svalbard Reindeer

Lisa Scherk

For many visitors to Svalbard, the reindeer is among the first Arctic animals they encounter. Often seen grazing near Longyearbyen or moving slowly across the tundra beneath glaciers, these compact animals appear perfectly adapted to life in one of the world’s most remote environments.

Bowhead Whales Borrow Songs from Other Arctic Species

New research shows that bowhead whales in the Arctic can imitate and incorporate sounds from other species into their songs.

New Study: Polar Bears under Pressure

An international team of researchers has published a new report in the journal Ecological Monographs on the effects of climate change on the genetics and evolution of polar bears.

Tourism: Murmansk Reconnects with Svalbard

After an interruption of almost three decades, direct passenger voyages between the Russian port city of Murmansk and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard have resumed.

Ingrid Pedersen: The First Woman to Fly Over the North Pole

In 1963, Ingrid Pedersen crossed the North Pole in a small aircraft, becoming the first woman to do so on a flight from Alaska to Norway.

Ocean Current AMOC: New Risks Discovered

A recent scientific study focuses on a key element of the global climate system: the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

Wet tundra increases parasite risk for reindeer

Changing moisture conditions in the Arctic may influence parasite exposure in Svalbard reindeer by affecting where infective larvae are found.

Seawater as a Witness to Change on Svalbard

Scientists in Svalbard have shown that seawater can reveal which animals live in the Arctic, offering a new way to track how climate change is reshaping polar ecosystems.

Reindeer reveal rising Arctic pollution levels

Warming temperatures in the Arctic may be releasing long-stored pollutants, with Svalbard reindeer showing rising levels of persistent chemicals.

Bird Flu Confirmed in Polar Bear on Svalbard

A polar bear found dead on Svalbard has tested positive for H5N5 avian influenza, the first confirmed case of bird flu in a polar bear in Europe.

Rain, Slush and Record Temperatures Mark April on Svalbard

Exceptionally warm temperatures and heavy rain disrupted research, tourism and winter activities across Svalbard during one of the Arctic archipelago’s warmest Aprils on record.

Young Ice Swimmer Conquers Polar Waters in Svalbard

A remarkable achievement unfolded in the Arctic waters of Svalbard this week as 15-year-old British ice swimmer Frankie Jackson completed a 1-kilometer polar swim at Bore Glacier, Svalbard, in temperatures well below freezing.

Mine 7 Closure Ends Norwegian Coal Mining in Longyearbyen

The recent closure of Mine 7 marks the end of Norwegian coal mining in Longyearbyen and reflects a broader shift toward new economic activities on Svalbard.

Early thaw complicates return from Mina’s Svalbard crossing

Early thawing in Svalbard is creating unexpected logistical challenges for the return of ten-year-old Mina Floriana Read from the northern part of the archipelago.

Svalbard introduces mandatory certification for Arctic guides

From 2027, guides outside Svalbard’s settlements must hold official approval under a new certification system.

Young skier attempts Svalbard crossing at just ten

A ten-year-old skier is attempting to cross Svalbard, prioritizing shared experience and time in the Arctic over speed or records.

The Svalbard Treaty: A Brief Overview

The Svalbard Treaty grants Norway sovereignty while ensuring equal access and peaceful use of the Arctic archipelago for all signatory nations.

Cryopeg: Liquid water hidden in permafrost

Cryopegs are pockets of salty liquid water in permafrost where microbes survive, revealing life’s resilience and hints of life beyond Earth.

Salomon August Andrée – The Daredevil in the Balloon

Greta Paulsdottir

On foot, by sled, or by ship, many methods had already been tried to reach the North Pole.

Sveagruva Opens Doors to Science

Sveagruva, a historic mining settlement, is now a research base giving UNIS scientists unprecedented access to study eastern Svalbard’s glaciers, geology, and ecosystems.

Warming of the Barents Sea Threatens Fish Stocks

A significant rise in temperatures in the Barents Sea is endangering the spawning grounds and food supply of key fish species.

Trappers Trail 2026: Svalbard’s Sled Dog Race

Trappers Trail 2026 brought sled dogs and mushers together for a weekend of racing, community spirit, and Arctic adventure on Svalbard.

Polar Bear Shot in Svalbard: Investigation Underway

A polar bear was shot in Agardhbukta, Svalbard, on 21 March, and the incident is currently under police investigation.

Longyearbyen Celebrates International Women’s Day

On March 8th, the community in Longyearbyen gathered at the Svalbard Museum to celebrate International Women’s Day, with speeches, a discussion panel, and music from a local choir.

Greeting the Sun in Longyearbyen: Solfestuka 2026

On March 8th, the people of Longyearbyen came together to celebrate the annual return of the sun, a cherished moment after the long polar night.

The Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan: A Master of Camouflage

The Svalbard rock ptarmigan is a master of camouflage in the Arctic, adapting its plumage to blend seamlessly with the snowy landscapes.

Trade Secret: Arctic Premiere Sheds Light on Polar Bear Fur Trade

Lisa Scherk

Last Friday, on International Polar Bear Day, Trade Secret had its Arctic premiere in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

Why Caribou Choose New Routes Every Year

Caribou use collective experience to flexibly adapt their migrations to changing winter conditions.

First Seed Deposit of 2026 at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault carried out its first deposit event of 2026 this week.

Between Ice and the Future: Polar Bears in Svalbard

Climate change is hitting the Arctic particularly hard. Around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, the annually ice-free period in the Barents Sea has lengthened dramatically since the 1980s.

The High Arctic experiences a mild January

While large parts of Scandinavia, northwestern Russia, and Siberia experienced their coldest January in many years, the High North revealed a very different side.

Where the sea has completely changed

An extraordinary heat event in 2003 profoundly and permanently changed the marine ecosystem off Greenland.

How Polar Bears Regulate Their Energy Balance

An adult male polar bear can lose or gain up to 60 kilograms of body weight within just a few days - an amount equivalent to the body weight of an average adult human.

Deepest ice reef in the world discovered – and it’s teeming with life

Deep beneath the ocean surface, where hardly any light penetrates and water pressure is immense, a reef made of ice is growing.

From Berlin to Svalbard – The History of the Ny-Ålesund Locomotive

This locomotive tells a story of hard labor, technical challenges, and the human determination to extract resources even under the most extreme conditions.

Norway Pauses Deep-Sea Mining Plans Until 2029

Lisa Scherk

Norway has decided to halt deep-sea mining plans in Arctic waters until at least 2029. The move was announced on 1 December 2024.

Climate Change Puts Arctic Migratory Birds Under Time Pressure

Climate change is altering the rhythm of nature, particularly noticeably in the Arctic. Spring now begins much earlier there than it did just a few decades ago.

Global decline in reindeer population

According to a new international scientific study, the global reindeer population will decline dramatically by the end of this century due to the climate crisis.

Dani Arnold achieves the first winter ascent of the Tarantellen in Svalbard

Swiss extreme mountaineer Dani Arnold has written a new chapter in his adventure career with an extraordinary winter ascent.

Arctic seals threatened by climate change

Three Arctic seal species are threatened with extinction, according to the latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Swiss Seed Samples for the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard